A VITAL parcel of land that will allow the city's notorious Army & Navy flyover to be replaced is finally available after plans for an Aldi supermarket were given the go ahead.
More than four years after acquiring the former Jewson's site off Parkway the supermarket chain has permission to build a budget food store off Chelmsford's infamous roundabout.
As part of the deal it must give up enough land needed to allow for crucial lane widening, for the long-awaited two-way flyover – schemes which could change the structural landscape of the city.
Cabinet member for planning and economic development Cllr Neil Gulliver said: "For the first time ever there is sufficient land within public ownership to put money forward for a two-way flyover and now in the future we can look to get government funding for the scheme."
The planning approval will also allow the slip lane from Parkway to Chelmer Road to be extended to ease congestion, a project that was also dependent upon the Aldi agreement.
At the end of 2013 central government provided a cash injection of £1.45 million to fund the lane widening project, after a report showed that up to 4,800 vehicles pass through the junction each hour in busy periods.
Mr Gulliver added: "There will be improvements seen by residents next year and the following year, and then after that we've got to sit down with the Highways Department and Rodney Bass and look to the future."
An overhaul at the congested roundabout has long been earmarked as an essential improvement for Chelmsford, in particular to support 2,000 new homes to be built in the city centre, 100,000sq ft of retail space including John Lewis, Waitrose, and the county cricket ground, and the expectation of 20,000 new jobs by 2021.
However, some people voiced concerns over the application for the second Aldi store in Chelmsford, in particular in Moulsham Mill, where there are a number of small, independent traders.
Via a number of public comments business owners at the Mill expressed fears at the impact of the store on traffic levels, and the viability of the community hub.
Despite these concerns the application was deemed so straightforward and compliant as to avoid discussion at a city council meeting altogether, with the decision to grant permission taken by a Planning Inspector instead.
An Aldi spokesperson said: "We have worked very closely with the City Council over a number of years regarding our proposals, which have now been thoroughly assessed and approved by officers at both Chelmsford City and Essex County Councils.
"The application, which fully complies with relevant planning policies, will help to secure considerable benefits for Chelmsford, including major highway improvement works at the Army & Navy.
"Before submitting the application, Aldi sent leaflets to more than 500 people and was delighted that more than 90 per cent of respondents were in support of the scheme. We look forward to opening the new store by the middle of next year."
